18th Kalamata Cup - a World Cup event for the first time!

... complete results

The Greek city of Kalamata (GRE), in the Southern part of the Peloponnese, is hosting one of the most traditional European events of Rhythmic Gymnastcs, the “18th Kalamata Cup 2010”, but for the first time as a World Cup event. From March 26 to 28 nearly 100 top gymnasts - individuals and groups - representing 20 different countries, will fight for world cup points in the “Tenta” Sports Hall of Kalamata. The International Rhythmic Gymnastics tournament has entered the FIG World Cup Series for the first time ever ... The only one Russian gymnast in Kalamata won the all-round there: Daria Kondakova in front of Sivlia Miteva (BUL) and Liubov Charkashyna (BLR), and at the final day Kondakova won with rope and ribbon...

IndividualIt is In Individual Competition, the World and Olympic champion Evgenia Kanaeva from Russia, as well as her acclaimed compatriots Daria Kondakova, Daria Dmitrieva, will be there, along with more medalists of the 2009 World Championships in Mie, such as Belarusian Liubov Charkashyna, Melitina Staniouta, Bulgarian Silvia Miteva and Azerbaijani Aliya Garayeva. On the other hand, Michaela Metallidou is expected to lead the Greek team.

* In GROUPS competition ... .... most of the international powerhouses will be in Kalamata, too. In total, ten groups are going to compete: Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Belarus, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Italy Japan, Russia and Ukraine. As for the Greek group, which has got quite a few new faces, this will be the major test ahead of the RG European Championships (April 13-18, Bremen).

The KALAMATA CUP... is held annually since 1993, being the most long-lived international rhythmic gymnastics tournament on Greek soil. It all started as an initiative by the former coach - and later on President - of the local gymnastics club Filogymnastikos Syllogos Kalamatas, Ms Eleni Michopoulou, who actually is a member of the FIG Council and of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation board of directors.

In the years that followed, “Kalamata Cup” evolved into a point of reference for the Rhythmic Gymnastics community. Even in tough times the flame was always lit and since 2007, having the huge support of the new administration board of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation, “Kalamata Cup” regained the luster of the past. As of 2010, being part of the FIG World Cup Series, the tournament enters the most glorious era of its history.* Source: Hellenic Gymnastics Federation / adapt. GYMmedia)*